Written by

Malia Rulon Herman
| Gannett Washington Bureau

New Jersey businesses affected by last week's fire on the Jersey Shore may tap into federal funds set aside for rebuilding after superstorm Sandy, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan said Wednesday.

Donovan, speaking to reporters after a Senate hearing on the progress of Sandy recovery, said the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds will be available to assist businesses in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights.

"There's no question that if there's any relationship to Sandy, we can work closely with those communities to make sure that CDBG can be an effective tool ...